Billy Wilkins Launches New Single, 'Monsterz,' on Halloween

Content Options

Billy Wilkins, Jerry Wonda, Serge Tsai and John Flynn in the recording studio.Billy Wilkins, Jerry Wonda, Serge Tsai and John Flynn in the recording studio. Credits: Courtesy of Billy Wilkins

Billy Wilkins, seen here at Darby Road's St. Patrick's Day bash earlier this year, plays at Sheelen's Crossing on Saturday, Nov. 3Billy Wilkins, seen here at Darby Road's St. Patrick's Day bash earlier this year, plays at ...Credits: John Mooney

Billy Wilkins sings on the stage at Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School as a senior.Billy Wilkins sings on the stage at Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School as a senior. Credits: John Mooney

By JOHN MOONEY

November 1, 2018 at 7:18 PM

SCOTCH PLAINS, NJ -- What better day to release a video called "Monsterz" than on Halloween?

Scotch Plains-based musician Billy Wilkins released his latest single at midnight on the spookiest day of the year.

"It's an upbeat song, actually," the singer/guitar player said. "The song is about mistakes you made in the past. We filmed it at my producer's house and at a studio on Long Island called Eclectic Props. Some of my friends are in it; it was hard sometimes to keep a straight face. The video has an Al Bundy/'Married with Children' kind of feel to it."

Wilkins spent his summer writing songs with a former classmate from Berklee College of Music, John Flynn. They wrote and recorded "Monsterz" together alongside Grammy award-winning producer Jerry Wonda, the mastermind behind Shakira’s “Hips Don’t Lie." Wonda first became known for his work with The Fugees, who struck platinum in 1996 with The Score, one of the best-selling hiphop albums of all time and Grammy winner for Best R&B Vocal Performance, Best Rap Album, and Album of the Year. In 1999, Wonda co-produced Supernatural, Carlos Santana’s masterpiece, which sold over 15 million copies and was nominated for 8 Grammys.

A friend introduced Wilkins to Jerry Wonda, who gave him an impromptu audition one evening in New York.

"It was like a scene out of a movie. At the end of the audition, he gave me his card and told me, 'I think you've got what it takes. I think we can make some awesome stuff together'," Wilkins said.

The rest of Wilkins' production "Dream Team" includes mix engineer Serge Tsai, who won a Grammy for his collaborations with Kanye West and who has also worked with Wyclef Jean. Wilkins flew in Q The Rebel, a film and video producer from L.A. who makes a lot of videos for rappers to do the "Monsterz" video.

Wilkins has long had great mentors. He developed an obsession with playing guitar by age 11. After being taught the basics by his father, he began studying at a local music shop but it wasn't long until he was ready to move on. Wilkins began studying with local guitar legend Karl Cochran, who introduced him to the nuances of Rock, Jazz, and the Blues. Later, Wilkins spent several years studying under Gypsy Jazz virtuoso, Stephane Wrembel. At the age of 14, he started to write, sing, and perform his own original songs.

After graduating from Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School, Wilkins attended the prestigious Berklee College of Music and majored in music performance. He left after a year.

"I was studying guitar performance and was playing jazz. I couldn't write and perform. I came home and started doing music the way I want to play it," he explained. "I felt like I had to start or it would be too late for me."

Of late, Wilkins has scaled back on his live performances and concentrated on making and recording music.

"Right now, I've been so busy recording most days every week. The amount of songs I make is insane. I really found the sound and the work ethic that work for me," said Wilkins, who locks himself in a recording studio at his house on the Jersey Shore in Ortley. "I waited for John to graduate from Berklee to make as much music as we could together. We are making a song a day. The fine tuning is done at Jerry Wonda's studio, Platinum. That's where we put the icing on the cake."

Although he is performing fewer gigs now than in years past, you can catch him this weekend playing at Sheelen's Crossing's third annual street festival on Saturday evening from 8:00 to 10:00 p.m. During his set, he will play "Monsterz" with his band for the first time live in front of an audience.

EAST BRUNSWICK, NJ - The East Brunswick Mayor's Office and the East Brunswick Clergy Council are sponsoring a food drive to help those who are currently furloughed by due to the partial federal government shutdown as it enters its day.

"We feel terrible for the number of people who are caught up in the middle of a debate in Congress. Lives and income are at stake. We want to ...

EAST BRUNSWICK, NJ - The East Brunswick Mayor's Office and the East Brunswick Clergy ...

PISCATAWAY, NJ – As many gathered this weekend for civic and spiritual commemorations of the life and legacy of slain civil rights leader, the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., so too did members of the community at the Piscataway Senior Center.

King, whose January 15th birthday is officially recognized on Monday the 21st, a national holiday and day of service, was a major activist in the ...

PISCATAWAY, NJ – As many gathered this weekend for civic and spiritual commemorations of the life ...

SPOTSWOOD, NJ - The Appleby School's fifth grade play is a cherished tradition in the borough with the memories and friendships made often streching decades, is launching a 'give back' campaign inspired by longtime fifth grade play director and Helmetta mayor, Chris Slavicek's recent experience with Ryan Brolliar's Music is Medicine Tour. Brolliar's tour had a stop at Chelsea Senior Living in ...

SPOTSWOOD, NJ - The Appleby School's fifth grade play is a cherished tradition in the borough with ...

NEW JERSEY -- 2019 marks what would have been Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s 90th birthday, and this year, on the federal holiday that celebrates his legacy, East Main Media looks back on a very special project.

“The East Main Media team was honored to produce this video,” said CEO & Executive Producer, Brian Brodeur. The project was completed in 2016, and features an original arrangement ...

NEW JERSEY -- 2019 marks what would have been Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s 90th birthday, and this ...

WELLINGTON, Fla. — On Jan. 18, S. Tucker S. Johnson was presented with the 2019 R. Bruce Duchossois Distinguished Trustee Award during the USET Foundation’s Gold Medal Club Reception held at the International Polo Club in Wellington, Fla.

In 2015, the United States Equestrian Team (USET) Foundation announced the creation of the award in honor and recognition of the late Bruce Duchossois.

SOUTH BRUNSWICK, NJ - Township residents with regularly scheduled garbage and recycling pickup on Mondays will not be altered because of Martin Luther King Day. According to a notice posted on the South Brunswick Township website any garbage or recycling services typically scheduled for Monday's will carry on as usual tomorrow. However, township offices will be closed on Monday, January 20 as ...

BELMAR/LAKE COMO, NJ — Fundraisers on five more Sundays will highlight the countdown to the Belmar/Lake Como St. Patrick’s Day Parade on March 3.

January 20: The Salty Whale with music by the Pat Roddy Band, 390 Main Street, Manasquan.
January 27: Bar Anticipation with music by The Snakes, 703 16th Avenue, Lake Como.
February 10: Marina Grille, 902 Route 35, Belmar.
February 17, ...

BELMAR/LAKE COMO, NJ — Fundraisers on five more Sundays will highlight the countdown to the ...

SOMERVILLE, NJ – Longtime member Jim Walsh has been named Grand Marshal of the annual Main Street St. Patrick’s Day Parade March 10 by the Ancient Order of Hibernians, St. Patrick’s Division of Somerset County.

A dinner and reception to honor the Grand Marshal will be held Friday, Feb. 8 at the Somerset Columbus Club, 495 E. Main St., from 7-10 p.m.

Walsh was born and raised in Mahanoy ...

SOMERVILLE, NJ – Longtime member Jim Walsh has been named Grand Marshal of the annual Main Street ...

BRIDGEWATER, NJ - The Somerset Patriots have signed of right-handed pitcher James Pugliese for the 2019 season. His rights were acquired in a trade with the York Revolution for the rights to infielder Nate Coronado.

“I’m really excited to be coming home and playing for Somerset,” said Pugliese. “This will be the closest I’ve been ...

EDISON, NJ ― In a meaningful stance to ease financial worry for thousands of area residents, Hackensack Meridian Health, New Jersey’s largest health network, announced today that it will waive co-pays and deductibles for emergency visits at all network hospitals and urgent ...